It was mixed feelings for the President yesterday.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan clocked 55 and marked it in a low key fashion. He also lost his briother.
A small gathering of his aides came around to wish him happy birthday after a morning devotional hour with his family and a few others at his official residence.
Dr Jonathan also watched a short parade by the Brigade of Guards before the day’s work which started with the presentation of letters of credence by ambassadors.
But then, other activities of the day were suspended following the death of the President’s brother.
The Presidency confirmed the death of Chief Meni Innocent Jonathan.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the chief died after a brief illness at the National Hospital.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan announces with sadness the death earlier today of his younger brother, Chief Meni Innocent Jonathan. Chief Meni Jonathan passed away at the National Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness. Formal burial arrangements will be announced later by the family,” the statement said.
Senate President David Mark, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi commiserated with the President last night.
A statement by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Kola Ologbondiyan, quoted Mark to have said that he shared in the grief and pain of the first family.
Mark prayed that “God in His infinite mercies grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
He also commiserated with the government and people of Bayelsa State to take solace in the fact that late Meni lived a short but eventful life.
Governor Obi expressed shock at the death of the President’s brother.
While praying to God for the repose of his soul, he assured Mr. President and the entire Jonathan family of the solidarity of the government and people of Anambra State at their trying time.
He expressed the hope that the tragedy will not distract Mr. President from pursuing the Transformation Agenda of his Government vigorously for the benefit of the country.
Governor Dickson led a high-powered delegation of senior citizens of the state on a condolence visit to Jonathan and offered prayers for the deceased whom he described as a fine gentleman and proud Bayelsan.
The late Meni Jonathan, according to the governor contributed immensely to the development of not just his community but the entire Bayelsa State.
The five new ambassadors were told by the president to focus on the strengthening of economic ties between Nigeria and their countries.
The Ambassadors are Mr. Isaac Genesis Munlo (Malawi), Mr. Carsten Nilaus Pederson (Denmark), Mr. Shyam Lal Tabadar (Nepal), Mr. Myint Naung (Myanmar) and Mr. Alex Lamadrid (Philipines).
Jonathan told the Malawian Ambassador that the Administration was working hard to make agriculture a business in Nigeria, instead of a subsistence occupation, to attract younger farmers and provide more jobs.
He also told the Ambassador of Denmark that Nigeria wanted more robust economic relations with the Nordic countries.
He welcomed the cooperation with Phililpines and the training of Nigerian seafarers in that country.
The new Ambassadors acknowledged the positive leadership role Nigeria has played in Africa and praised President Jonathan for sustaining the tradition.
They expressed their commitment to strengthening relations between their countries and Nigeria, for the mutual benefit of the people on both sides.
The Ambassadors wished President Jonathan a happy birthday.
